Escontria
Escontria chiotilla
Escontria chiotilla is the only species of the monotypic genus Escontria in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The botanical name of the genus honors the Mexican engineer and temporary governor of San Luis Potosí Blas Escontría. The epithet of the species derives from the local name of ' Chiotilla "for the edible fruit of the plant. Spanish common names are " Chiotilla " and " Jiotilla ".
Description
The tree-like Escontria chiotilla is highly branched with flat tops, forms distinct tribes and reaches a height 4-7 meters. The light green, cylindrical shoots have diameters of 8-12 inches. The more or less triangular in cross-section 7-8 ribs are thickly covered with dark gray, elongated areoles, sometimes flow into each other. The most one red-orange to yellow central spine is later gray and is up to 20 millimeters long. The sometimes comb- shaped arrangement 10 to 20 radial spines are yellowish - brown, later grayish - white and up to 12 millimeters long.
The opening on the day, yellow, tubular to somewhat bell-shaped flowers appear below the shoot tip. The spherical, fleshy, scaly fruits are purple-brown and have a diameter of 5 inches or more.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Escontria chiotilla is widespread in southern Mexico in the states of Puebla, Oaxaca, Guerrero and Michoacán.
The first plants were discovered in 1864 by Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber, sent the material to George Engelmann. The first description as Cereus chiotilla but was only 1897. Joseph Nelson Rose arranged them in 1906 in the erected by him Escontria a genus.
A synonym is Myrtillocactus chiotilla.
In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, the type is known as " Least Concern ( LC) ," ie, than not led at risk.
Use
The sweet fruits are edible and are sold on local markets in Mexico.